Player Updates

The Rams defense came up big Sunday, sacking 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick eight times in the team's 13-10 road win over San Francisco in Week 9.

While the offense was largely stagnant for 60 minutes, the Rams defense dominated the 49ers' offensive line to keep the team in the game and eventually pull off the win. Defensive end Robert Quinn led the charge with two sacks and a forced fumble, while linebacker James Laurinaitis and defensive linemen Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Eugene Sims and William Hayes each picked up a sack as well.

It was a stark departure from the same unit that failed to find much quarterback pressure over the first few weeks of the season. The Rams defense will hope to keep playing at an elite level in Week 10 against the Cardinals.

The Rams defense found a way to get scarier this offseason, selecting draftnik darling Aaron Donald in the first round to add to a front four that already includes Robert Quinn, Chris Long and Michael Brockers. That fearsome foursome has a good chance to wreak havoc on the Vikings in Week 1.

The Rams also enjoyed addition by subtraction when they parted ways with the regularly overmatched Cortland Finnegan this offseason. A unit that was dominant against the run last year should be able to do as good a job against Adrian Peterson as is possible. But teams will likely find it tougher to pass on the Rams this season; though the team was the worst in the league against No. 1 receivers last year, thanks in large part to Finnegan, they excelled against No. 2 wide receivers and were also the top team in the league at defending tight ends, per Football Outsiders.

The Vikings represent a nice matchup for the Rams, as Minnesota the 11th-best offense for DSTs to face last season. The Rams deservedly check in as top-five options for both CBSSports.com Fantasy experts this week.

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher told reporters that Michael Brockers, Kendall Langford and Rodger Saffold could "potentially play" Thursday's preseason finale, according to the team's official website. All three players left with ankle injuries Saturday.

Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson (knee) and defensive tackles Michael Brockers (ankle) and Kendall Langford (ankle) each left Saturday's preseason game against the Browns with injuries. All three players left in the first half and were unable to return to the game, per ESPN.

Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers appears set to play Saturday against Cleveland in the team's third preseason game, per ESPN. He returned to practice Tuesday after missing time with an ankle injury.